Asia Cup 2012: Bangladesh Team Players List

Update March 6, 2012:

The demotion of opening batsman Tamim Iqbal to the reserves and the inclusion of allrounder Mashrafe Mortaza are among a host of changes in Bangladesh’s Asia Cup squad. Bangladesh’s selectors have dropped four of the 15 players who were part of the home ODI series against Pakistan in December 2011, demoted two to reserve status, and called up five. They also continued to not pick Mohammad Ashraful.

The national selectors have received the fitness reports of Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal with both having been passed fit.

But the final discussion on the Tigers’ 15-member squad for the Asia Cup was still held back as the Akram Khan-led committee are awaiting the return of AHM Mustafa Kamal, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president. “We didn’t hold a meeting today [Sunday] but we did receive fitness reports of the two and Mashrafe [Bin Mortaza] and Tamim [Iqbal] are fit,” said Akram yesterday, though the three-member panel didn’t hold a meeting as was earlier said.

Upon Kamal’s return, the selectors will hold a meeting and await his approval before announcement as the hosts can apparently take an extra day to declare Asia Cup squads. The delay would also mean that the training camp will probably begin on the originally announced March 7 for the tournament that begins three days later.

But the selectors will breathe a huge sigh of relief with the fitness reports of fast bowler Mashrafe and batsman Tamim as they didn’t really have a lot of options lined up in either department. The left-handed opening batsman, despite missing much of the Bangladesh Premier League, is still the best option.

Mashrafe too would perfectly slot in as the new-ball bowler as paceman Rubel Hossain is all but certain to miss the four-nation tournament.

But if one takes a look at the last ODI squad selected, for the Pakistan series back in December, some of the faces may not find themselves this time around.

Question marks will be raised over Alok Kapali, Forhad Reza and Naeem Islam as the trio haven’t had much of a fruitful Premier League or BPL campaign, due to a lack of form and opportunities.

The selectors could recall Mohammad Ashraful, who was the second highest run-getter among the locals in the Twenty20 tournament, while also consider Junaed Siddiqui (good BPL showing) and Jahurul Islam (good form during the Dhaka Premier League).

Among the bowlers, the selectors could pick an extra spinner with only Mashrafe and Shafiul using the new ball as the local left-armers handled the new white ball quite effectively during the BPL. If another left-arm spinner is added, Enamul Haque Jr could make a return after good performances throughout the season in all formats.

Earlier

BCB Selection committee will meet on March 3 to discuss on Bangladesh team for upcoming Asia Cup 2012 cricket, due to start on March 11. It is likely that primary Bangladesh team will be announced on 4th or 5th March and the final 15-man squad will be confirmed on March 8. Fans are eagerly waiting for the return of the pacer Mashrafee Bin Mortaza. Bangladesh will play their first match on the inaugural day against Pakistan in SBNCS, Mipur stadium, which will be a day-night clash as all other matches in this 12-day event.

Habibul Bashar spoke on Bangladesh team in Asia Cup 2012, ” No decision has taken yet. Not even any discussions. The selection panel will sit on 3rd March to prepare initial team line up.”

“Initial team might not be confirmed on 3rd March. We will only discuss about players performances & fitness.” he added

Bashar was rather defensive on talking about choosing players on BPL performance, “I can’t comment on this point.”

Other 3 teams, India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka has already announced the final squad for Asia Cup 2012.

Global Neway becomes Bangladesh Team sponsor for Asia Cup 2012

Global Neway becomes new Bangladesh team sponsor for Asia Cup 2012

Meanwhile, Global Neway arrived as the new sponsor of the national cricket team, as they agreed to pay Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) a purse of Tk 10 million as the sponsors of the Tigers in the upcoming Asia Cup.

In a hurriedly organized press conference at the Sonargaon Hotel, BCB introduced the new sponsors to the press.

Murali Srinarayanthas, the managing director of the Global Neway was ecstatic.

“We feel privileged to have the opportunity. We look forward to inspire the Bangladesh National cricket team in the Asia Cup,” said Murali.

Neo Sports will telecast all Asia Cup 2012 matches live from SBNCS Mirpur stadium as the official broadcaster. Geo Super, ESPN, Star Cricket & DD Sports will also telecast the event live. You can watch live online streaming TV for all matches of Asia Cup 2012 on rootsbd.com . So, stay tuned and enjoy the month of March.

Let’s check the channels broadcasting Asia Cup 2012 Live –

Bangladesh: Neo Cricket

India: Neo Cricket and Doordarshan. Doordarshan’s DD-National will broadcast the Indian matches and the final